Nate didn't waste any time as he barreled past him to get to Callie’s room.
Luke held out a hand to Quinn, offering to help him up.
“What? Are you going to knock me down again?”
He still held his hand out, keeping all the emotion from his face. “I guess that’s a chance that you’ll have to take, now isn’t it?”
Quinn accepted the help and was pulled to his feet. He touched his lip and tasted blood.
Well, hell! What was a little more blood on his shirt? He was already covered in Callie’s. It seemed appropriate that he suffer physically tonight, too. His heart was already gushing from the gaping wound in his life.
“What happened, Quinn?” asked Luke quietly.
“We were at the fireworks and everything was fine, then I had a visit from the Reverend Higgins and his wife. He went off about the local witch being the killer, and when he walked away I said something stupid.”
Luke watched him intently. “What did you say?”
“That Susie Barnes was a harmless Wiccan wackadoo, or something along those lines,” admitted Quinn, feeling his face throb violently.
“So, you weren’t aware of Callie’s religious preferences?” asked Luke, feeling for the man.
“Hell no! If I did, I wouldn’t disparage her, or make a comment. I was trying to just lighten the whole speech that the reverend threw out. I didn't know,” he said, as he started to pace. “I had no idea that Callie had alternative religious preferences, and I certainly didn't think that my comment would send her to the ladies’ room, where she would get assaulted.”
“Quinn, just calm down. Let’s go see how she’s doing and worry about the rest later,” said Luke, placing a hand on his shoulder.
“I can’t face her yet. I need time. I let her get hurt, and I need to swallow that first.”
“Okay,” he said, knowing how he felt. “Quinn, this isn’t your fault.”
He didn't reply.
His head happened to agree with the man, but his heart? That was a different story all together.
* * *
Jonnie felt a throbbing in her head and struggled to open her eyes. Her groan of pain filled the silence. Something was definitely wrong, since she couldn’t move her arms or her legs.
“It’s time to wake up, Jonnie.”
The woman looked around, confused by her surroundings. Then, she remembered the struggle that occurred at her car. “What do you want?” she asked, peering into the darkness of the shadows moving around her.
“Why, you of course.”
Jonnie started to panic.
“I’ll give you money. My husband is rich, and I haven’t seen you so I can’t go to the cops,” she offered, begging. Her life depended on it.
“Jonnie, Jonnie, Jonnie. You’re a sin to our society and all your filthy money won’t buy you safety.”
The woman focused on the three individuals as they stepped into the light of the flickering candles. One held a wicked looking knife, another held a baseball bat, and the last a hood and duct tape.
“Please let me go.”
“Gag her,” said the first figure. The one holding the tape complied gleefully, despite Jonnie’s whimpering pleas.
The restrained woman struggled as something was shoved into her mouth, and then a strip of tape was sealed in place. She choked as tears filled her eyes. When the three abductors removed their robes, she recognized each of them.
Jonnie’s eyes went wide at who stood before her.
She never would have guessed they were responsible for all the killings. Tears started pouring down her face. It seemed that nothing she could offer would save her from what was coming.
This was her end.
After they had their fun with Jonnie, the figures placed her inside the Mercedes in Richard’s Glen. Laying her on the backseat, the knife was drawn across her throat, as their own personal signature to the cops.
The blood barely trickled, as life left her vile body. It pooled across her, until their message was slowly disappearing.
Jonnie had her calling and this was it.
Greed
“We are more than halfway there, my Brethren. Soon, we will have cleansed all the sins of our town and finally be vindicated,” said the first figure.
“Praise be to God,” said the second, sarcastically.
Laughter emanated from the third as they slipped back into the shadows. Now, it was home to their own beds, to wait for the body to be found.
* * *
Callie knew what was coming.
When her brother stormed into her room, she braced herself for the lecture that she knew was inevitable. Despite her headache, she fully expected him to tell her to be careful and to not take such chances.
She breathed out and braced for the worst. None of this was making her feel any better.
Nate was relieved as he saw his sister. She was pale, had a line of stitches across her forehead, and dried blood on her cheek. His stomach twisted into knots as she looked so fragile. His first instinct was to lecture her, but instead, he pulled her into his arms to hug her.
“Callie, you’re going to be the death of me yet,” he muttered into her hair.
“Yeah well, I was almost the death of me,” she replied, trying to smile, but her head was throbbing too much.
“That’s not funny, and this wasn’t your fault. It was that hillbilly of a sheriff who’s to blame for this mess.”
Callie pushed against Nate’s chest. “No, it’s mine! I went off into the ladies’ room because I was mad. Quinn had nothing to do with what happened.”
“Let’s not talk about it. I spoke to him already, and he understands where he stands. I hope he walks away and never comes near you again.”
Callie looked at him in horror. “What have you done, Nate?”
Just at that moment, Luke walked in, trying to look cheerful. He had succeeded until he saw her. The stitches and blood quickly wiped the smile from his face.
“Answer me, Nathaniel Carter! What have you done?”
He looked sheepish. “I was angry, Callie. Sheriff Gaines was supposed to watch you, and he didn’t do a very good job.”
“Nate, you ass! I was IN THE LADIES’ ROOM. What was he supposed to do? Stand guard outside the stall?” she asked, her voice rising. Suddenly, the room began to spin, and she wanted to throw up.
“Well, no,” said Nate, finally calming down. “I guess not.”
Luke took a seat on the bed beside her. “Hey, gorgeous. You’re not looking your best right now,” he said, kissing Callie gently on the cheek.
“Luke, what did he do?” she asked, clinging to his shirt. Her future rode on something that neither man would share with her. The panic began knotting up her stomach as more fear filled her. “Where’s Quinn?”
Luke glanced over at his boss, and then back to Callie. “He’s not hurt, honey. Nate was just mad,” said Luke, taking her hand in his.
That sentence didn't bode well. “Luke, what did he do?”
“He punched him.”
Callie’s mouth dropped open, and she stared at her brother in abject horror. “Oh my God! You put your hands on the man I’m in love with?”
They stared at her admission.
“I was just…” Nate began, trying to rationalize it.
“No! I don’t want to hear it. Get him in here. I want to see if he’s all right,” she demanded, sliding off the bed, only to wobble precariously. Callie waited as Luke poked his head outside the room, talking to someone.
When Quinn entered, Callie’s heart broke. He was a mess. His lip was split to match her healing one, and there was blood all over his shirt.
Oh, God!
Her poor sweet man.
“Hey, Callie. I’m sorry,” he said softly, looking at her like this was so heart wrenching. Before she could say anything, he stared at Luke. “We have another dead woman. I have to go.”
“I’ll come with you,” offered the Fed, checking in with
his boss. When Nate simply nodded, he headed for the door.
“I’ll bring her home and stay with her,” added Nate.
Callie just kept staring at Quinn, and he wouldn’t look her in the eyes.
Finally, he spoke. “Here are my keys, Nate. I’ll pick up the car later. Just leave them in the glove compartment,” he mumbled. “Can you get Zeke back to my place?”
The man caught the keys and nodded.
Turning around, he walked toward the door and stopped for a brief second. “I’m so sorry, Callie. I wish I could turn back time and make up for this. I don’t deserve you,” he muttered as he left. His heart hurt so much that he couldn’t even look her in the eyes.
What could Callie do but break out in tears? She knew that he was walking away from her.
This was the heartbreak that she feared.
Now, she was alone and empty inside.
Luke kissed her cheek before heading after the sheriff to work the next crime scene.
Nate said nothing, as the burden began to weigh on his shoulders. He was beginning to feel guilty, since he kicked the sheriff when he was down.
Shit!
When Callie’s tears stopped, she made up her mind. “Get the doctor. You’re taking me home. I don’t want to be here anymore.”
He didn't argue.
Nate owed her this one.
Quinn sat in the FBI agent’s vehicle while Luke dug in the trunk. Once in the car, he tossed a shirt to the sheriff. “I always keep an extra in the trunk for blood related emergencies,” he said, trying to help the man relax.
Quinn pulled off his shirt and tugged on the black polo. “Thanks.”
“No problem,” he replied, starting the SUV. “Where are we heading?”
Quinn stared out the window as the morning sun began breaking over the horizon. “We’re heading to ‘Richard’s Glen’,” he said, proceeding to give him directions.
They drove in silence. Finally, Luke had to say something. “You can’t let this get to you.”
Quinn didn't even acknowledge his words.
“Can I tell you something?”
Did he have a choice? He was trapped in the vehicle. “Yeah, I guess.”
Luke briefly glanced over at the sheriff. “This needs to stay between you and me. Nate and Callie are my family, and I’ve never said it out loud to anyone before.”
Quinn had to admit his interest was piqued. “Okay.”
Luke exhaled. “From the day I met her, I’ve been madly in love with Callie.”
“Is this supposed to make me feel better?” asked Quinn. “You telling me you’re in love with my woman?”
“Just listen to what I’m saying. There’s a point to the story. Right before we started working on the assignment where Callie nearly died, we went out on a date. It was my dream come true. I mean look at her. She’s smart, sexy, and just terrific.”
Quinn wasn’t amused.
“Well, half way through the date I fell hard, but I could tell she was just being friendly. She has never looked at me like anything more than a second brother,” he glanced over. “So that night, when I walked her to the door, I kissed her like she was the last woman in the world.”
“This is only pissing me off, not making me feel better,” Quinn stated. This was the last thing he needed today. It had been a shitty enough evening.
“Well, trust me, you’re about to feel better. After I kissed her and thought, ‘Oh wow! I found the one’, she pulled back and started laughing. I didn’t know what to say. I was floored. She finally told me that it wasn’t happening for her. She loved me, but I was like her brother. I was crushed.”
He was feeling a little better about the story.
Then, that day we nearly lost her, we walked around the corner of her office and there she was. Fear on her face, and a stalker holding a gun to her heart. My life paused. We immediately moved into action, all the while, I was in shock thinking about how we let her down. Now, she was going to die. Before we could kill the bastard, he fired into Callie’s body.”
Quinn noticed Luke’s white knuckles.
“It was like everything stopped. There was the first gun shot, then Nate’s, and then time sped up. We both held her until the ambulance came, and we were scared shitless. You think that you let her down? Well, you’re not the only one. Her brother and I did the same thing, but we did it in a bigger, more screwed up way. She was only knocked out tonight, but we got her shot. We dragged her into the case, and we left her alone at the office. We screwed up in a major way.”
“Your point being?”
Luke glanced over. “Shit happens. Let it go and move on with your life. If you think that you’re the only one who’s let her down, you’re not alone. I understand guilt. For three months after the incident, I couldn’t even look her in the eyes.”
“I know the feeling.”
“Don’t waste any time. It’s too precious, and if you’re thinking about bolting, don’t do it,” he said.
“I promised to protect her, and I didn't,” he stated.
“So, you don’t really love her then?” he asked, pulling up to the next crime scene.
“I love her more than my own life,” he answered, sharing the truth with the man. “I can’t breathe without her.”
“If you walk away, who’s going to protect her? When we go back to Raleigh, who’s going to take care of her?”
Quinn didn't have an answer.
Not because he didn't want to be that man, but because he didn't know if he was strong enough to pull it off.
Callista Carter was his kryptonite.
* * *
Early Saturday Morning
After hours of waiting, Callie slid into the Ford Mustang as her brother got behind the wheel. She could feel the cool morning air on her skin, and it felt so much better than the stagnant air of the hospital. Callie kept her eyes closed as he started the car, attempting to keep the pain at bay. Every now and again, Zeke would lick her neck and shoulder.
As they pulled out, she finally spoke to Nate. “I want you to take me to Quinn’s.”
“Hell no! You’re coming back to your house, where we can watch you,” said Nate adamantly.
Callie shook her head. “No, Nate. I want to go to Quinn’s and stay there. If you don’t take me, I’ll drive there later with a concussion. You won’t keep me away from him.”
She drew the line in the sand.
Nate drummed his fingers on the steering wheel. “Give me one reason why I should Callie?”
“Because I’m hopelessly in love with him, and if I can’t be with him, my heart will die.”
“Well, shit,” he said, as he pulled into the morning traffic. “I suppose you know what you’re doing, right?”
“I haven’t a clue. I’m playing this one by ear, and my gut tells me to go there. He needs me.”
If he wasn’t feeling so damn guilty for punching the man, he would have put up a better fight.
“Again, I hope that you know what you’re doing.”
Yeah, so did she.
When they got to Quinn’s home, Callie slowly got out of the car to keep from being sick. She had Nate help her into the house and to the shower. Once there, she stripped and stood under the hot water. As it cascaded over her sore body, she felt so much better. Now, she desperately needed sleep. Grabbing one of Quinn’s t-shirts, she slowly headed to bed.
“I think I should stay, Callie,” said her brother, when she moved like an eighty-year-old woman.
“I’ll be fine. My gun is right here,” she said, motioning toward the nightstand.
“Callie.”
She opened her eyes and whistled for the dog. “Trust me, Nate. You won’t be able to get back in here once Zeke takes his post. I’ll be fine. You can go.”
He was worried about leaving her, until the big dog lumbered into the room and leapt onto the bed.
“You can head to the house and start crunching numbers. I just need to sleep for a while.”
“Callie, I don’t know about this.”
“I’m safe. You can go.” Part of her wanted to offer forgiveness because he was her brother. Yet, there was a part of her that was angry at the way Nate had treated Quinn. If he stayed, that part would find its way to the surface.
Nate finally gave up. If his sister was hell bent on having this her way, so be it. “Call me if you need anything.”
Callie waited for the click. “Guard, Zeke,” she said to the dog. Immediately, he stared at the door as instructed. “Keep me safe until Quinn gets home,” she whispered.
Her head hurt.
Her heart ached.
And all she wanted was him to be there for her at that moment. Until he was, she would hold out hope that he would forgive himself.
Then, they could move on.
Together…
* * *
The sun was up enough that it was making their jobs a little easier. Sheriff Gaines and Special Agent Lucas Mars walked around the Mercedes, taking in the crime scene.
Yep, they had another victim. From just looking at her, they could determine that she was killed the same way. They could also tell that she didn't die easy.
There was a struggle.
Staring into the backseat of the car, both men simply let out a pent-up breath.
“We’ve got number four.”
“Yep,” replied Quinn. “We certainly do.”
The crime techs were removing the gag and bagging her hands for later retrieval of DNA, not that they expected to find any. From their only victim who had DNA under her nails, it wasn’t viable.
Killers four, good guys zero.
A few of the crew were dusting for prints on the steering wheel and doors. Quinn leaned down to examine the word carved into her body. “Well, the killer is sticking to the program. That’s definitely our next sin.”
“Well, the good news is there are only three remaining,” Luke said. “The bad news is we have nothing to stop him from completing them.”
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